Drones: Aker Solutions gets BVLOS certification, works with Kongsberg for security detection system
Aker Solutions has obtained certification for unlimited beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations. Potential applications include autonomous inspection of offshore platforms.
The company is also now approved to perform autonomous operations alongside manned helicopters and aircraft, ensuring zero interference with helideck operations.
The certification is said to apply to all systems and products, allowing the company to integrate/tailor drone systems to clients’ needs without restrictions.
With this approval, the company says it can now conduct unlimited BVLOS inspections offshore and onshore, piloted remotely from onshore control rooms; support both existing and planned minimal-manned and unmanned installations; and provide digital and automated solutions to support productivity of client operations.
Earlier this year, the company completed what it claims was the first offshore BVLOS drone operation, piloted from its control room in Stavanger.
Kongsberg, Aker Solutions collaborate on infrastructure protection
Kongsberg Discovery’s marine robotics systems, including AUVs and USVs, are already performing these tasks, and the company also provides technologies such as mobile broadband radio, integrated camera systems, and acoustic devices for subsea monitoring and surveillance.
The partnership will seek to implement the drone detection system in phases, beginning with a demonstrator at Aker Solutions’ Stavanger site. This will then be deployed offshore and over time expanded with camera clusters and underwater sensors.
Later planned phases include installation on supply vessels, integration with onshore control centers, a wider rollout for rigs and vessels, and expansion to other countries. Aker Solutions will provide systems integration, with Kongsberg Discovery as sub-supplier.
“There have been many observations of drones close to critical infrastructure in the last couple of years. Few are properly documented. This cooperation between Aker Solutions and Kongsberg Discovery will provide the end customer with proper tools to monitor, record and document illegal, as well as legal, UAV activity around installations.”
—Cato Giil Eliassen, VP Infrastructure, Kongsberg Discovery
About the Author
Jeremy Beckman
Editor, Europe
Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.